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Article from a Guest Expert
Updating Your Office to Improve Productivity
Keeping your business updated is essential for a productive environment, and if you want your employees to provide the best output possible, ensure they have the best venue in which to do so. Just as you keep your finances in order, your products in supply, and your customer service excellent, put the same effort into making sure your office design is as productive as it can be. By implementing simple design techniques and keeping these tips in mind, your business will be poised to enter the New Year firing on all cylinders.
Keep it Clear
Clear spaces and clean lines contribute to a clearer mind, but areas that are too sparse can mean a dullness that will find its way into your employees work motivation. Keep your office decor simple but practical with items from a place like Touch of Modern. From new, modern light sources to practical desks and furniture, you can keep your office looking trendy while maintaining its utilitarian qualities for your employees.
Temperature Complaints
You’ve likely got a range of temperature preferences going on in your office—some like it hot, and some like it frigid. Working in areas that are too chilly or too toasty for individual preference can greatly affect performance. Ways to update your office may include installing more windows and ensuring they can be opened. You can also choose install personal control panels for different, enclosed areas of your office space; the kitchen, conference rooms, and individual offices are a good example of places where you can make a change. One Cornell study found that a temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit reduced typing errors by 44 percent, and increased output by a whopping 159 percent. While of course temperature is subject to individual preferences, consider experimenting with temperatures weekly, and determine what is does for your employees’ happiness and productivity.
A Noisy Nuisance
Noise is an obvious issue for many employees, and it may seem there are few designs you can update to make this better. Separate working areas based on noise level. Those tasks which require collaboration should be set apart from tasks which may require another employee to focus and be provided with quiet solitude. Noise preferences vary, as well, so do your best to make sure your employees feel free to come to you with complaints on how noise might be hindering their ability to do their job efficiently.
Outdoor Relaxation
This one isn’t doable in all cases, but if you have access to an outdoor area, make sure it’s available and conducive for your employees’ use. Whether it’s a patio where they can eat lunch or a grassy area where they can lounge during breaks, time in the outdoors is sure to improve mood and give productivity-boosting relaxation moments. If taking your employees outdoors is an impossibility, bring nature into them. Whether it’s succulents on each desk, meeting room filled with lush greenery, or deliveries of fresh flowers, the presence of nature brings a breath of fresh air back into your office. Natural settings are beneficial for both physical and mental health, and your employees will lead happier and more productive work lives if these needs are met.
A Scent Sensation
Scent is one of the most powerful sensations, and making sure your office smells fresh is great for both employee productivity and for first impressions on visiting clients or guests. This is easily done through wall plug-ins, constant upkeep and removal of trash, or even diffusers at each employee’s desk with the scent of their choice. You can also easily cater scents to your different aims—jasmine can help increase energetic feelings, citrus is associated with alertness, lavender can do the trick to calm a stressful atmosphere.
The Importance of Lighting
Mood responds to light. A dark office will do you and your colleagues no favors, so make sure you make the most of the natural light you have while increasing the bright artificial light sources within your building. Dim lighting can affect eyesight, meaning your employees will be straining throughout the day to look at their screens and papers. Poor lighting can also contribute to drowsiness and lethargy, cutting productivity down and making the days feel longer for your employees. Natural lighting is your best bet, but if improving your natural light sources is an impossibility, placing different levels of artificial light around your office can provide a brighter space in which you and your employees flourish.
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